The latest release of XL Fortran introduces new data types and intrinsic functions for the Vector Scalar eXtension (VSX) instruction set tuned for the POWER7 processor. With the VSX instruction set and the original Vector Multimedia eXtension (VMX) intrinsic functions; you can efficiently manipulate vector operations in your application.

The Mathematical Acceleration Subsystem (MASS) libraries contain an accelerated set of frequently used mathematical intrinsic functions that provide improved performance over the corresponding standard system library functions. Both single-precision and double-precision functions are provided for 32-bit and 64-bit applications. New POWER7 MASS vector and MASS Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) libraries are provided. These are tuned specifically for POWER7 processors and exploit features such as the VSX instruction set.

With XL Fortran you have access to new intrinsic functions and directives for direct programmer access to POWER7 prefetch extensions and cache control instructions. These cache control and stream prefetch extensions support store stream prefetch and prefetch depth control. Like all the intrinsic functions and directives, they allow you to use the syntax of Fortran function calls and Fortran variables to access the instruction set of the processor of the compiling machine for exact control over the generated code. These intrinsic functions and directives are automatically inserted when the compiler optimizes code and enables the development of highly optimized applications. If you prefer, you can rely on the compiler to automatically exploit processor features and not write any low-level code.